Yipes we're in Yeppoon ----- photo collection

---

---

Well our plan went as expected and we had very pleasant sail downwind across from North Keppel, arriving in Keppel Bay Marina just afternoon. It has taken us exactly 1 month to get here from Lizard Island (took about 4 months to get there!)

Naomi's parents were still down in Bunderberg taking care of their boat, so we used the marina courtesy car to collect their car and we have been staying at their place since. Mostly vegetated the first two days, checked on the boat each morning to do some jobs, and enjoyed the luxuries of on land living.

Now that I can use a computer I have pulled out some of my favourite pictures from our trip south. It reminded me of a special little stop we made that I had forgotten about and hadn't mentioned on the blog. After a coming out of Mourilyan Harbour into glassy windless seas we stopped at the small group of Northern Barnard Islands which were only 5 miles away. Anchored near the beach on Kent Island and then moved when we saw how close to a coral bommie we were. Rowed ashore to a steep beach made of dead coral with a pool in the middle. Found a sheltered alcove excellent for floating the dinghy and for Alex to paddle.

Just a hundred metres or so away was another island with caves, so we paddled over. Exploring these, Alex found his size gave him the advantage to look around the low ones, though several times as he crawled through, he forgot and stood up to get a surprise knock on the head. . It was a beautiful deserted spot - we came across a large butterfly inside one cave. Rocks in the water had holes in them, forming arches that Naomi & I swam under with just enough space to keep our heads dry. As the wind started to pick up we rowed back to the boat before it became too hard work and this gave us the gentle slow sail to Russell Island.



Naomi's parents, Cheryl & Don, got back a few days ago and tomorrow we're heading to Bunderberg to pick up their boat. It will be a few days motoring back and hopefully the weather will be nice enough that we can go via the coral cay of Lady Musgrave Island. This will get us back just before Christmas.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

Merry Xmas to all !!!!



Luke

---

Photos

Arrived!
Keppel Bay Marina

View from rocky hill
Russell Island

View from lighthouse
Russell Island

Big spiders!
Russell Island

lunchtime
passing southern end of Hitchenbrook Island

sunset at Picnic Bay
Magnetic Island

Comments

[steve]

Hi guys it has been great to follow your adventures, guess there will be a halt for a while. Enjoyed your photos very much also. Have a good rest and a great Christmas. Steve

[Luna Ray]

cheers Steve, hope you have had a good xmas and NY. How are things down in Hope Hbr?